Microsoft extends Windows XP cutoff

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Microsoft Corp. has extended the cutoff date for distribution of Windows XP software to large so-called original equipment manufacturers by four months.

The Redmond, Wash., software maker's move means that the company's retired Windows XP operating system will be available to custom PC builders through May 30, InformationWeek reported Monday.

Microsoft had originally planned to stop distributing Windows XP media to manufacturers including Dell and Hewlett-Packard at the end of January.

InformationWeek reported that if Microsoft is on schedule with its Windows 7 program, there would be a gap of about just six months between the end of the XP program in most markets and Windows 7's general availability in 2010.